Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in San Diego

Yes. Solar is still worth it for many San Diego homeowners, but the best strategy has changed. Under SDG&E’s Solar Billing Plan, excess solar exported to the grid is credited based on hourly export values rather than the older retail-style net metering structure. That makes self-consuming your solar energy, especially with a home battery, much more valuable than sending extra daytime power back to the grid.

The SDG&E Solar Billing Plan credits exported solar energy based on the value of electricity at the hour it is sent to the grid. Daytime exports often have lower value than evening electricity purchases, so homeowners usually save more by using solar power in the home or storing it in a battery for peak hours.

A battery helps store excess daytime solar energy so it can be used in the evening, when SDG&E rates are typically highest. Without a battery, new solar customers may export daytime energy for lower credits and then buy electricity back later at a higher price.

SDG&E Time-of-Use rates make electricity more expensive during the evening peak period, commonly 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. A solar-plus-battery system can store lower-cost daytime solar energy and discharge it during that peak window to reduce grid purchases.

In many cases, legacy NEM customers can make limited system expansions without losing grandfathered status, but the rules are strict. Homeowners should review their interconnection agreement and work with a qualified solar contractor before adding panels, especially if they are also adding an EV, heat pump, or battery.

An EV can significantly increase a home’s annual electricity use. If you plan to charge an EV at home, your solar design should account for future charging habits, expected mileage, time-of-use rates, and whether you want to pair the system with battery storage.

The True-Up is the utility reconciliation point where SDG&E compares the electricity you used against the solar energy you exported during the billing cycle. Depending on your rate plan and whether you are served by a Community Choice Aggregator, your bill may include delivery charges, generation charges, remaining credits, or net surplus compensation.

For many San Diego County customers, SDG&E handles electricity delivery while San Diego Community Power handles generation. That means solar billing can include separate delivery and generation credit calculations, making it important to understand both portions of the bill.

Payback varies by system size, usage, roof conditions, financing, battery configuration, and future utility rates. In San Diego, high SDG&E rates can make solar-plus-storage attractive, but the most accurate estimate comes from modeling your actual utility usage and hourly consumption patterns.

The physical installation may only take a few days, but the full process includes design, permitting, inspection, interconnection paperwork, and Permission to Operate from SDG&E. Timelines vary by city, utility workload, system complexity, and whether roof or electrical upgrades are needed.

Solar cost depends on system size, panel and inverter type, roof complexity, electrical work, battery storage, and financing. The best estimate comes from a proposal based on your last 12 months of energy usage, roof layout, and future energy plans.

The number of panels depends on your annual electricity use, roof orientation, shading, panel wattage, and future needs such as EV charging, heat pumps, pools, or battery storage. A proper design should size the system around your home’s real energy profile, not just square footage.

Savings depend on how much electricity you use, when you use it, your rate plan, system size, and whether you add a battery. Because San Diego electricity rates are high, reducing grid purchases can create meaningful savings, especially during peak evening hours.

Most grid-tied solar systems shut down during an outage for safety unless they are paired with battery storage and backup-capable equipment. With the right battery system, solar can help power selected circuits or recharge the battery while the grid is down.

If your roof is near the end of its life, it is usually smarter to address roofing before installing solar. Removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost, so roof condition should be evaluated before the system is designed.

Solar incentives change frequently and depend on installation date, equipment, tax eligibility, and program funding. Homeowners should confirm current federal, state, utility, and local programs before making a purchase decision.

Look for a licensed local contractor with strong reviews, proven San Diego experience, quality equipment, clear warranties, local permitting knowledge, and long-term service support. Homeowners should compare total system value, not just the lowest price.

Owned solar systems can improve a home’s appeal by reducing future electricity costs, especially in areas with high utility rates. The value depends on whether the system is owned or leased, its age, equipment quality, production history, and remaining warranty coverage.

A solar system does not eliminate every utility charge. Your bill may still include fixed charges, grid delivery fees, electricity used at night, seasonal usage increases, True-Up balances, and any natural gas charges. A battery can help reduce evening electricity purchases.

Quotes can vary because they include different equipment, batteries, warranties, roof work, electrical upgrades, financing terms, monitoring, labor models, and long-term service support. Homeowners should compare scope and quality, not just system size and price.